Art world laments death of ‘people’s artist’ Lee

ARTS PIONEER:：Figures in the performing arts world said Hugh Lee was a pioneer in the industry, whose work during his decades-long career inspired art everywhere

Staff Writer, with CNA

Thu, Jul 04, 2013 - Page 3

Artists and actors continued an outpouring of condolences yesterday over the death of theater icon Hugh Lee (李國修), lauding him as an artist of the people and a pioneer of Taiwan’s performing arts.

Lin Hwai-min (林懷民), founder and artistic director of the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre (雲門舞集), one of the nation’s leading dance troupes, yesterday praised Lee’s plays for portraying social phenomena and reflecting the themes of family and national history.

“He is one of Taiwan’s most important ‘people’s artists,’” said Lin, who encouraged the younger generation to learn from Lee’s passion for theater.

Lee, the founder of the Ping-Fong Acting Troupe (屏風表演班), one of the nation’s most renowned drama groups, died in Greater Taichung on Tuesday at the age of 58 after battling cancer for three years.

He first rose to stardom for his comedic performances in television shows in the 1980s and won a Golden Bell Award for “actor with the most potential” in 1982.

Lee later became the first recipient of the National Award for Arts in the drama category when the award was established in 1997, in honor of his works’ blending of traditional and modern art formats and his theater group.

Lee, who stood out as a gifted director, playwright and actor, is considered one of the most prolific figures in contemporary Taiwanese theater. He wrote and directed 30 plays, and played more than 100 roles during his career.

Godot Theatre Company (果陀劇場) founder Liang Chih-min (梁志民) said that his troupe used to share a rehearsal venue with the Ping-Fong Acting Troupe, and that he and Lee would always encourage each other and honestly critique their respective works.

He described Lee as a teacher and friend who “set the best possible example for theater.”

Comedian Kuo Tsu-chien (郭子乾), who studied acting under Lee and knew him for more than 20 years, said that if it had not been for Lee, he would not have entered the entertainment business or become an expert impersonator.

“Your works, your contribution to theater, your influence on people and your love will always remain in our hearts,” singer and actress Rainie Yang (楊丞琳) wrote on her Sina Weibo microblog.

Ming Hwa Yuan Arts and Cultural Group (明華園戲劇總團) Director Chen Sheng-fu (陳勝福) also expressed sadness over Lee’s death and said it was “a great loss of talent.”